Container for shipping a plurality of articles

ABSTRACT

A container is provided for shipping and/or storing a plurality of articles, such as computer system components (for example, computer keyboards), wherein the plurality of articles are packaged within the container efficiently so as to keep the individual articles in spaced relation to one another. A container according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a main body portion and at least one partition removably received by an interior space of the main body portion such that the partition remains in a fixed location within the interior space of the main body portion until removed therefrom. The partition is formed from a blank and is shaped so as to at least partially surround the article, thereby protecting same from damage during shipping and/or storage.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 60/707,582, filed 12 Aug. 2005, the specificationof which is hereby incorporated hereinto by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to containers for shipping and storing aplurality of articles such as computer peripherals, for example,computer keyboards and their associated hardware. More particularly, thepresent invention relates to a container for shipping and storing aplurality of articles such as computer peripherals, wherein the articlesare held in spaced relation to one another by a plurality of foldablepartitions.

2. Brief Description of the Related Art

Consumer desktop computers typically are sold to end-users aspre-bundled systems, comprising all the components necessary for anordinary user to perform most home computing tasks. Computermanufacturers typically offer such consumer computer systems in avariety of configurations, but each configuration ordinarily includes acomputer “tower” (in which the computer motherboard, hard drive, opticaldrives and memory are installed), a keyboard, a mouse, speakers,software media and documentation pre-packaged and shipped within asingle container, such as a corrugated box. It is desirable, therefore,to provide a container suitable for shipping and/or storing articles,such as, for example, computer system components.

Computer manufacturers, however, typically do not manufacturer each ofthe system components for themselves; rather, a typical computermanufacturer merely designs the system, outsources the manufacturing ofthe individual components, assembles the components and packages theminto a single container for shipping to the end-user as a completesystem.

The individual components, such as hard drives, CD/DVD drives andkeyboards, are manufactured by third parties and supplied to thecomputer manufacturer in bulk for the computer system manufacturer toincorporate into pre-bundled computer systems. Because the componentsare being delivered to the computer manufacturer in bulk, it ispreferable to minimize the amount of packaging used to ship the bulkcomponents from the component manufacturer to the computer systemmanufacturer. Also, because the computer system manufacturer will removethe components from the packaging that is used to ship the components inbulk and then re-package the components into the overall systempackaging, it is unnecessary for the components to be individuallypackaged in, for example, display ready packaging. Rather, it issufficient for the several of the components to be shipped in a common,plain package, from which the components can be removed easily. It isdesirable, therefore, to provide a container for shipping and/or storingarticles, such as, for example, computer system components, wherein thecontainer is adapted to ship bulk quantities of such articles in amanner that is compatible with current computer systems manufacturingpractices.

For instance, a computer keyboard manufacturer will typically shipseveral computer keyboards together in a single package. The computersystem manufacturer will remove the individual keyboards from the singlepackage and bundle individual ones of them with the remaining computersystem components for delivery to the end-user as a complete system. Asis oftentimes the case, the keyboard will come with its owndocumentation and software installation media. It is sometimes desirablefor such items to remain associated with the keyboard, so as to notbecome confused with similar items associated with other components ofthe computer system. As such, it is desirable to provide a container forshipping a plurality of articles, wherein each of the plurality ofarticles is packaged in a manner that allows for items associatedtherewith, such as, for example, documentation and/or softwareinstallation media, to remain associated therewith.

It also is desirable to provide a container for shipping and/or storinga plurality of articles, wherein each of the plurality of articles(together with their associated items) is packaged within the containerin such a manner so as to provide adequate protection from damage, etc.,since computer system components typically are delicate and sensitive towater, shock and rough handling.

It is common, therefore, to pre-package the individual keyboards alongwith their associated documentation and/or software installation media,for instance, in a plain corrugated box. Not only do such boxes provideadequate protection from damage, but they allow for the documentationand software installation media to remain associated with the keyboards.It has been observed, however, that boxes of this type typically arestronger than they need to be, since these boxes are themselves shippedwithin a larger container. Because these boxes are larger than they needto be, the result is that unnecessary material is used in theconstruction of these boxes, thereby increasing the expense ofmanufacturing and handling articles shipped in them. Accordingly, it isdesirable to provide a container for shipping and/or storing articles,wherein the individual articles are packaged in a manner so as tominimize the amount of material necessary to protect them duringshipping and/or storage. It is desirable also to provide a container forshipping and/or storing a plurality of articles, wherein the containeris formed from a minimum of parts.

It also is desirable to provide a container for shipping and/or storinga plurality of articles, wherein each of the articles are packaged in amanner so as to remain in spaced relation to all the other articleswithin the container.

It is desirable further to provide a container for shipping and/orstoring a plurality of articles, wherein individual ones of theplurality of articles can be removed from the container easily. It isdesirable further still to provide a container for shipping and/orstoring a plurality of articles, wherein items associated withindividual ones of the plurality of articles can be removed easily fromthe container along with the articles.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention, a container isprovided for shipping and/or storing a plurality of articles, such ascomputer system components (for example, computer keyboards), whereinthe plurality of articles are packaged within the container efficientlyso as to keep the individual articles in spaced relation to one another.A container according to a preferred embodiment of the present inventioncomprises a main body portion and at least one partition removablyreceived by an interior space of the main body portion such that thepartition remains in a fixed location within the interior space of themain body portion until removed therefrom. The partition is formed froma blank and is shaped so as to at least partially surround the article,thereby protecting same from damage during shipping and/or storage.

The main body portion of the container provides orthogonal exteriorsidewalls and opposing interior slotted endwalls, each endwall havingone or more slots therein for at least partially receiving one of the atleast one partition therein. The slots cooperate with slots provided inthe partition so as to positively locate the partition within theinterior space of the main body portion of the container. Slots arespaced along the interior endwalls of the main body portion so as topermit a plurality of partitions to be positively located within theinterior space of the main body portion in spaced relation to oneanother, thereby providing a container for shipping and/or storing aplurality of articles, wherein the articles are maintained in a spacedrelation to one another while positioned within the container.

Several variations of the container are provided, wherein the main bodyportion and/or partitions are modified so as to provide additionalfunctionality for the container, while remaining within the spirit andscope of the present invention. For example, cutouts may be provided inone or more sidewalls of the main body portion so as to define handlesfor increasing the ease with which the container may be handled.Further, finger holes may be provided at various locations within thepartition blank so as to facilitate easy erection of the blank into afunctional partition. These, and other variations which may becomeobvious to one of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the withindescription of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, willbe seen to be within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a container forshipping items is provided, comprising a main body portion having aninterior space defined by a plurality of sidewalls; at least onepartition removably positionable within the interior space of the mainbody portion, at least one partition being adapted to engage at leastone sidewall of the main body portion to positively position thepartition within the interior space; wherein the partition defines atleast two compartments within the interior space of the main bodyportion.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a container suitablefor shipping and/or storing articles, such as, for example, computersystem components.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a container forshipping and/or storing articles, such as, for example, computer systemcomponents, wherein the container is adapted to ship bulk quantities ofsuch articles in a manner that is compatible with current computersystems manufacturing practices.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a containerfor shipping a plurality of articles, wherein each of the plurality ofarticles is packaged in a manner that allows for items associatedtherewith, such as, for example, documentation and/or softwareinstallation media, to remain associated therewith.

It also is an object of the present invention to provide a container forshipping and/or storing a plurality of articles, wherein each of theplurality of articles (together with their associated items) is packagedwithin the container in such a manner so as to provide adequateprotection from damage, etc., since computer system components typicallyare delicate and sensitive to water, shock and rough handling.

It is still yet another object of the present invention to provide acontainer for shipping and/or storing articles, wherein the individualarticles are packaged in a manner so as to minimize the amount ofmaterial necessary to protect them during shipping and/or storage.

It is an even further object of the present invention to provide acontainer for shipping and/or storing a plurality of articles, whereinthe container is formed from a minimum of parts.

It is still yet another object of the present invention to provide acontainer for shipping and/or storing a plurality of articles, whereineach of the articles are packaged in a manner so as to remain in spacedrelation to all the other articles within the container.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a container forshipping and/or storing a plurality of articles, wherein individual onesof the plurality of articles can be removed from the container easily.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a containerfor shipping and/or storing a plurality of articles, wherein itemsassociated with individual ones of the plurality of articles can beremoved easily from the container along with the articles.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the presentinvention become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from thedescription which follows, and may be realized by means of theinstrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out therein, aswell as by those instrumentalities, combinations and improvementsthereof which are not described expressly therein, but which would beobvious to those of ordinary and reasonable skill in the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A better understanding of the invention will be had upon reference tothe following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawingsin which like reference numerals represent like parts, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a container according to apreferred embodiment of the present invention, showing one of aplurality of partitions in spaced relation to a main body portion;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a blank used to form the main body portion ofthe container shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the blank shown in FIG. 1 in apartially-folded configuration such that interior slotted endwalls ofthe container shown in FIG. 1 have not yet been formed;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the blank shown in FIG. 1 in a furtherpartially-folded configuration such that interior slotted endwalls ofthe container shown in FIG. 1 each are partially formed;

FIG. 5 is a partial section view of one interior slotted endwall of thecontainer shown in FIG. 1, taken along section line 5-5 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a blank used to form the partition shown inFIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the blank shown in FIG. 6 in apartially-folded configuration such that a spacer portion of thepartition shown in FIG. 1 is shown extending therefrom;

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the container shown in FIG. 1,wherein a plurality of partitions are shown such that each one of thepartitions is shown partially received by the interior slotted endwallsof the container;

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the container shown in FIG. 1,wherein a plurality of partitions are shown such that all of thepartitions are shown fully received by the interior slotted endwalls ofthe container;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the container shown in FIG. 1, whereinthe container has been inverted after a plurality of partitions havebeen inserted into the interior space thereof, thereby defining aplurality of compartments within the interior space of the container;and,

FIG. 11 is a partial plan view of a central region of a blank used toform a partition according to an alternative embodiment of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to FIG. 1, a container 1 for shipping and/or storing aplurality of articles (not shown) comprises a main body portion 10 andat least one partition 30 that is removably received within an interiorspace 2 defined by the main body portion 10. More particularly, mainbody portion 10 comprises a plurality of orthogonal sidewalls formedfrom sidewall-forming panels 12 a-12 d, a bottom wall formed fromoverlapping bottom wall-forming flaps 14 a-14 d (FIG. 2) and a topwallformed from overlapping topwall-forming flaps 16 a, 16 c. At least oneinterior slotted endwall xx, xx is provided in spaced relation to one ofthe sidewalls 12 and includes a plurality of slots xx therein, thefunction and use of which will be described in greater detail below.

Individual articles (not shown), such as computer keyboards and thelike, together with associated items, such as, for example,documentation and software installation media, are attached to orotherwise associated with one of the partitions 30. For example, acomputer keyboard (not shown) may be attached to one of the partitions30 using, for example, straps, elastic bands or stretch-wrap material.Each partition 30, then, together with the article and items associatedtherewith, form a unitary item that may be inserted into (and removedfrom) the interior space 2 of the container 1 main body portion 10 withrelative ease-of-handling.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a blank B1 for forming the main body portion 10of the container 1 is constructed from any suitable foldable material,such as corrugated paperboard, heavy-weight paper or the like, and isdie-cut to form a generally rectangular configuration, when in anunfolded state, as shown in FIG. 2. The blank B1 includes a plurality ofscore lines, fold lines, cut lines and slots which divide the blank B1into sidewall-forming panels 12 a, 12 b, 12 c, 12 d; bottom wall-formingflaps 14 a, 14 b, 14 c, 14 d; and, topwall-forming flaps 16 a, 16 c.More particularly, first and second longitudinal fold lines 11 a, 11 bextend along the length of the blank B1 and first, second and thirdtransverse fold lines 13 a, 13 b, 13 c extend along the width of theblank B1 and cooperate with the longitudinal fold lines 11 a, 11 b todefine sidewall-forming panels 12 a, 12 b, 12 c, 12 d.

Topside cut lines 15 a, 15 b, 15 c extend along transverse fold lines 13a, 13 b, 13 c, respectively, towards a topside edge B1 a of the blank B1and define topwall-forming panels 16 a, 16 b. Bottomside cut lines 17 a,17 b, 17 c extend along transverse fold lines 13 a, 13 b, 13 c,respectively, towards a bottomside edge B1 b of the blank B1 and definebottom wall-forming flaps 14 a, 14 b, 14 rc, 14 d. As can be seen fromFIG. 2, first topside cut line 15 a, first transverse fold line 13 a andfirst bottomside cut line 17 a are collinear with one another.Similarly, second topside cut line 15 b, second transverse fold line 13b and second bottomside cut line 17 b are collinear with one another,and third topside cut line 15 c, third transverse fold line 13 c andthird bottomside cut line 17 c are collinear with one another. Foldlines 13, 13 b, 13 c and cut lines 15 a, 15 b, 15 c, 17 a, 17 b, 17 ceach are perpendicular to longitudinal fold lines 11 a, 11 b,respectively, although they may be oriented to form an angle therewith.

Glue flap 19 extends from a first side edge B1 c of the blank B1 and isfoldable relative to first sidewall panel 12 a along a tab fold line 13d. Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that glue flap 19allows first sidewall panel 12 a to be secured to fourth sidewall panel12 d, such as, by adhesive, when blank B1 is folded about eachtransverse fold line 13 a, 13 b, 13 c to form a generally tubularorthogonal sidewall structure, which is the first step in forming a mainbody portion 10 of the container 1 according to a preferred embodimentof the present invention.

Cut lines 15 a, 15 b also define first endwall panel 20 b positionedbetween first and second topwall-forming flaps 16 a, 16 c and includesfirst and second fold lines 21 a, 21 b which divide first endwall panel20 a into first bridge segment 22 a, first interior endwall 23 a andfirst hold-down flap 24 a, arranged in sequence extending from secondsidewall panel 12 b. One or more slots 26 a are formed in the firstendwall panel 20 b, spaced longitudinally therealong between first andsecond cut lines 15 a, 15 b, and extending from second longitudinal foldline 11 b, through first bridge segment 22 a and at least partways intofirst interior endwall 23 a.

Similarly, cut lines 15 b, 15 c define second endwall panel 20 dpositioned adjacent the second topwall-forming flap 16 c opposite thefirst endwall panel 20 b. Second endwall panel 20 d includes first andsecond fold lines 21 c, 21 d which divide second endwall panel 20 d intosecond bridge segment 22 b, second interior endwall 23 b and secondhold-down flap 24 b, arranged in sequence extending from fourth sidewallpanel 12 d. One or more slots 26 b are formed in the second endwallpanel 20 d, spaced longitudinally therealong between second and thirdcut lines 15 b, 15 c, and extending from second longitudinal fold line11 b, through second bridge segment 22 b and at least partways intosecond interior endwall 23 b.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the main body portion 10 of the container 1according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is formedby first folding the blank B1 along each of the transverse fold lines 13a, 13 b, 13 c to form a generally tubular orthogonal sidewall structureand thereafter affixing glue tab 19 to the fourth sidewall panel 12 d,for example, using adhesive, clips or staples. Bottom wall flaps 14 a,14 b, 14 c, 14 d are then each folded about fold line 11 a in anoverlapping arrangement and secured to one another, such as, withadhesive, to enclose the bottom end of the sidewall structure, therebycooperating with the sidewall panels 12 a, 12 b, 12 c, 12 d to definethe interior space 2 of the main body portion 10.

With reference now also to FIG. 4, the main body portion 10 of thecontainer 1 according to a preferred embodiment of the present inventionis further formed by folding first and second hold-down flaps 24 a, 24 binwardly about second fold lines 21 b, 21 d, respectively, relative tofirst and second interior endwalls 23 a, 23 b, respectively, until firstand second hold-down panels 24 a, 24 b are generally perpendicular tofirst and second interior endwalls 23 a, 23 b, respectively. First andsecond interior endwalls 23 a, 23 b, then, are folded downwardly intothe interior space 2 of the main body portion 10 by simultaneouslyfolding each interior endwall 23 a, 23 b about first fold lines 21 a, 21c, respectively, relative to first and second bridge segments 22 a, 22b, respectively, while at the same time folding bridge segments 22 a, 22b about second longitudinal fold line 11 b, relative to second andfourth sidewall panels 12 b, 12 d, respectively.

Once interior endwalls 23 a, 23 b have been folded completely within theinterior space 2 of the main body portion 10, hold-down flaps 24 a, 24 bwill lie against the topmost bottom wall flaps 14 a, 14 b, 14 c, 14 dand can be secured thereto, such as, with adhesive. Although hold-downflaps 24 a, 24 b are shown as being folded outwardly (towards second andfourth sidewall panels 12 b, 12 d, respectively, it will be obvious toone of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the within descriptionthat hold-down flaps 24 a, 24 b may instead be folded in an oppositedirection so as to project towards one another along the bottom wallflaps 14 a, 14 b, 14 c, 14 d and further into the interior space 2 ofthe main body portion 10. One arrangement of bottom wall flap 14 d,fourth sidewall panel 12 d, second bridge segment 22 b, second interiorendwall 23 b and second hold-down flap 24 b is shown in FIG. 5.

Also, while in this configuration, interior endwalls 23 a, 23 b lie in agenerally vertical plane parallel to second and fourth sidewall panels12 b, 12 d, respectively, and spaced therefrom by a distancecorresponding to the width of bridge segments 22 a, 22 b. Bridgesegments 22 a, 22 b, in turn, lie in a generally horizontal planeextending and spanning the distance between upper ends of the sidewallpanels 12 b, 12 d and the interior endwalls 23 a, 23 b, respectively.

Referring now to FIG. 6, a blank B2 used to form one of the at least onepartitions 30 of the container 1 according to a preferred embodiment ofthe present invention is shown. Preferably, two or more blanks B2 areprovided, in which case, two or more identical partitions 30 will beused in connection with the container 1 according to a preferredembodiment of the present invention. Blank B2 is constructed from anysuitable foldable material, such as corrugated paperboard, heavy-weightpaper or the like, and is die-cut to form a generally rectangularconfiguration, when in an unfolded state, as shown in FIG. 6.

Blank B2 is divided by first and second transverse fold lines 33 a, 33 binto first and second divider panels 31 a, 31 b connected at respectiveupper ends thereof by shelf portion 32. Second divider panel 31 bincludes a centrally-positioned cut line 35 a spaced from secondtransverse fold line 33 b and generally parallel thereto. A pair ofedgewise cut lines 35 b, 35 c extend from distal ends of thecentrally-positioned cut line 35 a towards second transverse fold line33 b and end thereat to define a generally rectangular popout extensionflap 34, that will be described in greater detail below. According to apreferred embodiment of the present invention, second transverse foldline 33 b is interrupted between edgewise cut lines 35 b, 35 c, althoughsecond transverse fold line 33 b may alternatively span continuouslyacross the entire width of blank B2.

First and second slots 36 a, 36 b extend into first divider panel 31 atowards first transverse fold line 33 a, spaced therefrom by a distance,thereby defining first and second shoulders 37 a, 37 b of first dividerpanel 31 a adjacent shelf portion 32. Slots 36 a, 36 b are sufficientlywide so as to permit a conventional sheet of corrugated paperboard tofit snugly therein, as will be described in greater detail below.Shoulders 37 a, 37 b extend away from shelf portion 32, each terminatingin an outwardly-reaching arm 38 a, 38 b. Preferably, outwardly-reachingarms 38 a, 38 b terminate short of an outermost edge 39 a of firstdivider panel 31 a.

Similarly, third and fourth slots 36 c, 36 d extend into second dividerpanel 31 b towards second transverse fold line 33 b, spaced therefrom bya distance, thereby defining third and fourth shoulders 37 c, 37 d ofsecond divider panel 31 b adjacent shelf portion 32. Slots 36 c, 36 dare sufficiently wide so as to permit a conventional sheet of corrugatedpaperboard to fit snugly therein, as will be described in greater detailbelow. Shoulders 37 c, 37 d extend away from shelf portion 32, eachterminating in an outwardly-reaching arm 38 c, 38 d. Preferably,outwardly-reaching arms 38 c, 38 d terminate short of an outermost edge39 b of second divider panel 31 b.

Except for the popout extension flap 34 defined by cut lines 35 a, 35 b,35 c, first and second divider panels 31 a, 31 b can be seen to beoppositely-facing mirror images of one another, reflected about andextending from shelf portion 32. Cutouts 32 a, 32 b may be provided atopposite ends of the shelf portion 32, which such cutouts 32 a, 32 b mayspan the entire distance between first and second fold lines 33 a, 33 b,or alternatively, may span only partways therebetween, in which case,cutouts 32 a, 32 b may be spaced from either or both fold lines 33 a, 33b. As shown, cutouts 32 a, 32 b extend entirely between first and secondfold lines 33 a, 33 b and are provided to facilitate inserting thepartition 30 into the interior space 2 of the main body portion 10 ofthe container 1.

With reference now also to FIG. 7, partition 30 is formed from blank B2by folding second divider panel 31 b about second transverse fold line33 b until it stands generally perpendicularly to shelf portion 32. Assecond divider panel 31 b folds about second transverse fold line 33 b,cut lines 35 a, 35 b, 35 c cause popout extension flap 34 to remaingenerally in the same plane as shelf portion 32, thereby defining aprotrusion extending from second divider panel 31 b. Referring back nowalso to FIG. 1, first divider panel 31 a is then folded about firsttransverse fold line 33 a until it stands generally perpendicularly toshelf portion 32, parallel to second divider panel 31 b and spacedtherefrom by a distance represented by the distance between first andsecond transverse fold lines 33 a, 33 b.

Thus configured, partition 30 forms a space between first and seconddivider panels 31 a, 31 b into which an article, such as, for example, acomputer keyboard with associated items, such as, for example,documentation and installation software media, may be placed for safestorage and shipping, protected by divider panels 31 a, 31 b and shelfportion 34. Because divider panels 31 a, 31 b and shelf portion 34 donot completely surround an article or item(s) positioned therein, it maybe necessary to secure such article and/or item(s) to one or bothdivider panels 31 a, 31 b, such as, for example, using stretch wrapping,strapping or elastic members. It should be obvious to one of ordinaryskill in the art, however, that securing the article and/or item(s) toeither or both divider panels 31 a, 31 b, though, is not required inorder to stay within either the spirit or the scope of the presentinvention.

Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, one or more partitions 30 are removablyinsertable into the interior space 2 of the main body portion 10 todefine a plurality of discrete chambers into each of which an article,such as, for example, a computer keyboard with associated items, suchas, for example, documentation and installation software media, may beplaced for safe storage and shipping. As mentioned above, article(s)and/or item(s) associated therewith may be secured to individual ones ofthe partitions 30, such as, for example, with stretch wrapping,strapping or elastic members, to prevent their becoming disassociatedtherewith during shipping and/or storage. In FIG. 8, a first partition30′ is shown nearly fully inserted into the interior space 2 of the mainbody portion 10 of the container 1, whereas a second partition 30″ isshown only partially inserted into the interior space 2 of the main bodyportion 10 of the container 1. In FIG. 9, both partitions 30′, 30″ areshown fully inserted into the interior space 2 of the main body portion10 of the container 1 such that topwall-forming flaps 16 a, 16 c can befolded into closed positions (not shown), thereby fully enclosingpartitions 30′, 30″ and any article(s) and/or item(s) stored therein.

With reference specifically to FIG. 8, it can be seen that a pluralityof slots 26 a, 26 b are formed in the first and second bridge segments22 a, 22 b and extend down first and second interior endwalls 23 a, 23b, respectively. In the embodiment shown, four slots 26 a(i), 26 a(ii),26 a(iii), 26 a(iv) are provided in the first interior endwall 23 a andfour slots 26 b(i), 26 b(ii), 26 b(iii), 26 b(iv) are provided in thesecond interior endwall 23 b. Slots 26 a(i), 26 b(i) lie generally inthe same vertical plane; slots 26 a(ii), 26 b(ii) lie generally in thesame vertical plane; slots 26 a(iii), 26 b(iii) lie generally in thesame vertical plane; and, slots 26 a(iv), 26 b(iv) lie generally in thesame vertical plane.

Although slots 26 a(i), 26 a(ii), 26 a(iii), 26 a(iv) and slots 26 b(i),26 b(ii), 26 b(iii), 26 b(iv) are shown spaced equidistantly along firstand second interior endwalls 23 a, 23 b, respectively, adjacent slots 26a(i), 26 a(ii), 26 a(iii), 26 a(iv) and adjacent slots 26 b(i), 26b(ii), 26 b(iii), 26 b(iv) may be spaced along first and second interiorendwalls 23 a, 23 b, respectively, at increasing, decreasing or varyingdistances from one another.

By way of example, first and second slots 26 a(i), 26 a(ii) formed inthe first interior endwall 23 a and first and second slots 26 b(i), 26b(ii) formed in the second interior endwall 23 b each are spaced fromone another a distance corresponding to the width of the shelf portion32 of the partition 30, which also corresponds to the distance throughwhich the first and second divider panels 31 a, 31 b are spaced from oneanother. Thus configured, second partition 30″ formed as describedherein may be received by the interior space 2 of the main body portion10 such that first divider panel 31 a slides at least partways into, forexample, slots 26 a(i), 26 b(i) while at the same time second dividerpanel 31 b slides at least partways into, for example, slots 26 a(ii),26 b(ii). In this manner, divider panels 31 a, 31 b are positivelylocated within the interior space 2 of the main body portion 10 so as toprevent shifting around thereof within the interior space 2, forexample, while in transit or during handling and storage operations.

Similarly, a first partition 30′ formed as described herein may bereceived by the interior space 2 of the main body portion 10 adjacentsecond partition 30″ such that first divider panel 31 a slides at leastpartways into, for example, slots 26 a(iii), 26 b(iii) while at the sametime second divider panel 31 b slides at least partways into, forexample, slots 26 a(iv), 26 b(iv). In this manner, divider panels 31 a,31 b are positively located within the interior space 2 of the main bodyportion 10 so as to prevent shifting around thereof within the interiorspace 2, for example, while in transit or during handling and storageoperations. Article(s) and/or item(s) packaged within either partition30′, 30″, or in a space therebetween (i.e., in a space defined betweensecond divider panel 31 b of second partition 30″ and first dividerpanel 30′ of first partition 30′), are held securely in place and with areduced risk of damage thereto which may be caused due to rough handlingof the container 1.

Popout extension flap 34 of second partition 30″ may be sized to spanthe distance between slots 26 a(ii), 26 b(ii) and slots 26 a(iii), slots26 b(iii), respectively, thereby maintaining the distance between firstand second partitions 30′, 30″ and providing a back stop against whichmovement of first partition 30′ can be inhibited. Similarly, popoutextension flap 34 of first partition 30″ spans the distance to thirdsidewall panel 12 c, thereby maintaining the distance between firstpartition 30′ and third sidewall panel 12 c. Besides providing positivepositioning and support for partitions 30′ 30″, popout extension flaps34 further provide a partial enclosure for any article(s) and/or item(s)which may be stored between partitions 30′, 30″, thereby inhibitingtheir tendency to fall out from the container 1.

Referring back to FIG. 1, slots 26 a, 26 b of main body portion 10cooperate with slots 36 a, 36 b, 36 c, 36 d of partition 30 to receiveone of the plurality of arms 38 a, 38 b, 38 c, 38 d of one partition 30within the space between interior endwall 23 a, 23 b and its respectivesidewall 12 b, 12 d. Slots 26 a, 26 b extend down interior endwalls 23a, 23 b a sufficient distance so as to allow any partition(s) 30received within the interior space 2 of the main body portion 10 to sitfully within the interior space 2 of the main body portion 10, therebypermitting closing of the topwall-forming flaps 16 a, 16 c. Theslot-in-a-slot arrangement will be understood by those of ordinary skillin the art as providing an efficient means to positively locatepartitions 30 relative to, and within, main body portion 10.

Referring now to FIG. 10, use of the container 1 according to apreferred embodiment of the present invention will be described. Afterthe main body portion 10 has been erected as described above, exceptthat hold-down flaps 24 a, 24 b are not secured to any of the bottomwall-forming flaps 14 a, 14 b, 14 c, 14 d. Rather, partitions 30′, 30″(FIGS. 8 and 9) are inserted into the interior space 2 of the main bodyportion 10 and interlocking slots ensure that interior endwalls 23 a, 23b and divider panels 31 a, 31 b remain in generally vertical planes. Assoon as all partitions 30′, 30″ are fully inserted into the interiorspace 2 of the main body portion 10, topwall-forming flaps 16 a, 16 care folded to enclose partitions 30′, 30″ therein and are secured insuch a closed position, such as, for example, using packing tape,adhesive or other fastening techniques. Flaps 16 a, 16 c may overlap ormay meet at the center of the main body portion 10.

Container 1, then, is inverted such that container 1 is made to rest onthe inwardly-folded and secured flaps 16 a, 16 b. Flaps 14 a, 14 b, 14c, 14 d are now opened to expose the interior space 2 of the main bodyportion 10. Partitions 30′, 30″, and in particular, divider panels 31 a,31 b thereof, divide interior space 2 into a plurality of open-topcompartments into which article(s) and/or item(s) may be inserted, withor without packing material, for shipping and storage. Once each of thecompartments are filled with article(s) and/or item(s), flaps 14 a, 14b, 14 c, 14 d are again closed, thereby fully enclosing the interiorspace 2 of the main body portion 10, and more particularly, fullyenclosing each of the compartments defined within the interior space 2of the main body portion 10. Flaps 14 a, 14 b, 14 c, 14 d, then, may besecured to one another, such as, with packing tape, adhesive, strapping,stretch wrapping or the like, to prevent unintentional opening of thecontainer 1 during shipping and storage.

It will be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, upon reading thewithin description of the preferred embodiments of the presentinvention, that a container 1 according to the present invention mayinclude modifications thereto without departing from either the spiritor the scope of the present invention. For instance, partition 30 mayinclude any number of cutout sections (not shown), for example, in oneor both of the divider panels 31 a, 31 b extending inwardly from theouter edge 39 a, 39 b thereof for the purpose of reducing the amount ofmaterial used to form partition 30.

Referring to FIG. 11, a blank B2′ used to form a partition according toan alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown and includesmany of the features described above with respect to the blank B2 (FIG.6) used to form the partition 30 according to a preferred embodimenthereof and like reference numerals are intended to represent likefeatures. However, with respect to the present embodiment, blank B2′includes a second popout extension flap 134 formed in the first dividerpanel 31 a by cut lines 135 a, 135 b, 135 c. The purpose of secondpopout extension flap 134 is to allow a partition formed from blank B2′to maintain a spaced relationship to an adjacent partition (or main bodyportion sidewall) on either side of the partition, rather than on onlyone side, as provided by a blank B2 according to the preferredembodiment hereof.

Even further, either blank B2 according to the preferred embodimenthereof or blank B2′ according to the present embodiment may be providedwith a circular cutout 140 located along either or both cut lines 35 a,135 a, preferably central thereto, the purpose of which being to assista user in removing the popout extension flap 34, 134 from the plane ofthe divider panel 31 b, 31 a, respectively, when the partition isformed, as shown in FIG. 7.

Even further still, cut lines 35 a, 135 a may be provided withinterruptions in the form of frangible nicks 142 (also referred to astethers, straps or bridging elements), the purpose of which being tohold popout extension flaps 34, 134 within the plane of the dividerpanels 31 b, 31 a, respectively, until such time as the end user choosesto tear the nicks, thereby permitting the popout extension flaps 34, 134to extend from its respective divider panel 31 b, 31 a as shown above.Such an arrangement allows for the end user to have popout extensionflap extend from either or both divider panel, thereby providing asingle partition blank adaptable for multiple configurations. In sucharrangements, fold lines 33 a, 33 b may be continuous across the entirewidth of the blank B2′ such that a portion 133 a, 133 b of each foldline 33 a, 33 b, respectively, spans the distance between cut lines 135b, 35 b and cut lines 135 c, 35 c, respectively.

While the invention has been described and illustrated with reference toone or more preferred embodiments thereof, it is not the intention ofthe applicants that the invention be restricted to such detail. Rather,it is the intention of the applicants that the invention be defined byall equivalents, both suggested hereby and known to those of ordinaryskill in the art, of the preferred embodiments falling within the scopehereof.

1. A container for shipping items, comprising: a main body portionhaving an interior space defined by a plurality of sidewalls; at leastone partition removably positionable within said interior space of saidmain body portion, said at least one partition being adapted to engageat least one sidewall of said main body portion to positively positionsaid partition within said interior space; wherein said partitiondefines at least two compartments within said interior space of saidmain body portion.
 2. The container according to claim 1, said pluralityof sidewalls including a first sidewall defined by a first sidewallpanel and a first interior endwall panel, and wherein said partition isadapted to engage said first interior endwall panel of said firstsidewall.
 3. The container according to claim 2, said first interiorendwall panel having at least one slot for receiving a portion of saidpartition therein.
 4. The container according to claim 3, said partitionhaving at least one slot for receiving said a portion of said firstinterior endwall therein, said at least one slot of said partitionmating with said at least one slot of said first interior endwall panelto positively locate an end of said partition within said interior spaceof said main body portion.
 5. The container according to claim 3, saidfirst interior endwall panel having a plurality of slots spacedtherealong.
 6. The container according to claim 5, wherein saidplurality of slots are spaced equidistantly along said first interiorendwall panel.
 7. The container according to claim 5, wherein said atleast one partition includes a plurality of partitions, and wherein eachof said plurality of slots in said first interior endwall panel isadapted to receive one of said plurality of partitions.
 8. The containeraccording to claim 7, wherein each partition includes a plurality ofdivider panels, and wherein each divider panel of each partition isadapted to be received by one of said plurality of slots in said firstinterior endwall.
 9. The container according to claim 5, wherein saidpartition includes a first divider panel and a second divider panel, andwherein said plurality of slots in said first interior endwall panelincludes a first slot adapted to receive said first divider panel and asecond slot adapted to receive said second divider panel.
 10. Thecontainer according to claim 9, wherein said first divider panel isattached to said second divider panel by a shelf portion.
 11. Thecontainer according to claim 10, wherein said second divider panelincludes a first popout extension flap.
 12. The container according toclaim 11, wherein said first popout extension flap extends from saidshelf portion of said second divider panel.
 13. The container accordingto claim 11, wherein said first divider panel includes a second popoutextension flap.
 14. The container according to claim 2, said partitionhaving at least one slot for receiving said a portion of said firstinterior endwall therein.
 15. The container according to claim 2,wherein said first interior endwall panel is attached to said firstsidewall panel by a bridge segment.
 16. The container according to claim2, said plurality of sidewalls further including a second sidewalldefined by a second sidewall panel and a second interior endwall panel,and wherein said partition is adapted to engage both said first interiorendwall panel of said first sidewall and said second interior endwallpanel of said second sidewall.